Transport from Guangzhou Airport to Guangzhou city is easy, with several options including Metro Line 3, airport buses, taxis, and terminal shuttle services. In this guide, we assess the main options in terms of ease, timing, and cost.
For more information on Guangzhou Airport, you can visit the official airport page here.
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Metro Line 3 from Guangzhou Airport to the city
Metro Line 3 is usually the best way to get from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport into the city. It is fast, cheap, clean, and very easy to use once you know where you are going.
You can take the metro from either Terminal 1 or Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is served by Airport South Station, while Terminal 2 is served by Airport North Station. From there, Metro Line 3 runs directly towards central Guangzhou, with useful stops including Tiyu Xilu and Zhujiang New Town.
The journey usually takes around 40 to 45 minutes depending on where you are getting off. Trains run very frequently, usually every 5 to 10 minutes, which makes this one of the most convenient airport transport options in Guangzhou.
Services generally start at around 6AM and finish close to midnight. This makes the metro a strong option for most daytime and evening arrivals, although late night travellers may need to use a taxi instead.
The metro is also extremely cheap. A one way journey into central Guangzhou typically costs around 7 to 8 CNY, which is roughly 1 USD. This makes it far cheaper than taking a taxi and usually quicker than taking the airport bus.
Buying a ticket is straightforward. Ticket machines are available at the metro station and there are English signs throughout the airport and metro system. You usually receive a small plastic token, which is used to enter and exit the metro gates. Payment can normally be made using Alipay, which is worth setting up before travelling in China.
Airport buses from Guangzhou Airport to the city
Airport buses are another cheap way to travel from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport into the city. They are not usually as fast or frequent as the metro, but they can still be useful depending on where your hotel is located.
Bus services generally run from around 6AM until the last flight, with buses usually departing every 20 to 30 minutes. Journey times into central Guangzhou are usually around 50 minutes to 1 hour, although this can vary depending on traffic.
Common airport bus routes include Line 1, which runs towards the Guangzhou Railway Station area, Line 2A, which runs towards Pearl River Town, and Line 2B, which runs towards Huashi. These routes can be useful if they stop close to your hotel, but the metro is usually easier if you are heading to Tiyu Xilu, Zhujiang New Town, or another central metro-connected area.
Airport buses are still very cheap, usually around 2 to 3 USD depending on the route. However, because Guangzhou traffic can be busy, the bus is usually slower and less predictable than Metro Line 3.
For most travellers, the bus is best if it stops very close to your accommodation. Otherwise, the metro is usually the better option.
Taxis from Guangzhou Airport to the city
Taxis services are widely available at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and are one of the easiest ways to reach your hotel directly. This is especially useful if you have a lot of luggage, are arriving late at night, or are travelling in a group.
A taxi from Guangzhou Airport to the city usually takes around 40 minutes, although this can be longer during heavy traffic. The journey is generally very affordable compared with airport taxis in many major western cities, with fares often around 15 to 20 USD depending on your destination and traffic.
This can be a very cost effective option if there are three or four people travelling together. It is also the best choice after the metro has closed, or if your hotel is not close to a metro station.
You will usually need Alipay to make the payment process easier, where you scan the QR code in the taxi to pay. The airport taxi areas are well organised, and staff were helpful when directing passengers towards the correct taxi area.
For convenience, taxis are excellent. For value and speed during normal operating hours, the metro is still the better overall option.
Free terminal shuttle bus at Guangzhou Airport
If you need to transfer between terminals rather than travel straight into Guangzhou, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport has a free terminal shuttle bus.
This connects Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and runs 24 hours per day. This is useful if you arrive at one terminal and need to connect to a flight from the other terminal, or if your onward transport option is easier from a different terminal.
Late night transport from Guangzhou Airport to the city
If you are arriving late at night, your best option depends on the time of arrival and where you are staying.
Metro Line 3 usually runs until around midnight, so it is still the best option for many evening arrivals. If your flight lands before the final trains and you are staying near Tiyu Xilu, Zhujiang New Town, or another metro-connected area, the metro is still the easiest and cheapest option.
After the metro closes, a taxi is usually the best choice.
Best late night option: taxi
For late arrivals, a taxi or rideshare is usually the easiest option from Guangzhou Airport to the city. It is direct, affordable, and much more convenient than navigating public transport with luggage after a long flight.
Best budget option: Metro Line 3
The cheapest and best value option from Guangzhou Airport to the city is Metro Line 3. Tickets usually cost around 7 to 8 CNY, the trains are clean and frequent, and the journey into central Guangzhou takes around 40 to 45 minutes.
Best overall option: Metro Line 3
For most travellers, Metro Line 3 is the best overall transport option from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Guangzhou city. It is cheap, quick, clean, and easy to use, with English signs and frequent services from both airport terminals.
Unless you are arriving after the metro closes, have lots of luggage, or are travelling in a group, the metro is the option we would recommend.
Guangzhou Airport transport FAQs
The fastest public transport option is usually Metro Line 3. It takes around 40 to 45 minutes from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to central areas such as Tiyu Xilu or Zhujiang New Town.
Metro Line 3 is usually the cheapest and best value option. A one way journey into central Guangzhou typically costs around 7 to 8 CNY, which is roughly 1 USD.
Yes. Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is served by Metro Line 3. Terminal 1 uses Airport South Station, while Terminal 2 uses Airport North Station.
Yes. Alipay is very useful for buying metro tickets and paying for transport in Guangzhou. It is worth setting up before travelling in China.
Yes. The metro is clean, efficient, and clearly signposted. There are English signs, ticket machines, and frequent trains into the city.